Pool type game

ABSTRACT

A game apparatus including a game board with removable surface portions and cup portions insertable therein from the underside of the board. The game further includes playing pieces which are to be shot into the cups and an element for shooting the playing pieces for travel across the playing board towards the cups. In addition, members are provided to be assembled about the periphery of the board to provide a confining structure therefor.

United States Patent Barlow et al.

' Int. Cl.

POOL TYPE GAME Gordon A. Barlow, Evanston; Jeffrey D. Breslow, Chicago, both of ill.

Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates Filed: Apr. 13, 1970 Appl. No.: 27,951

Inventors:

U. S.Cl. ...273/126 R, 273/l29, 273/123 ..A63f 3/00 Field ofSearch ..273/l26, 113,119, 115,123,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/l966 Burk ..273/126 R X 51 Apr. 4, 1972 A FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 498,924 11/1954 Italy ..273/l29 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Theatrice Brown Attorney-Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & McCord ABSTRACT A game apparatus including a game board with removable surface portions and cup portions insertable therein from the underside of the board. The game further includes playing ieces which are to be shot into the cups and an element for shooting the playing pieces for travel across the playing board towards the cups In addition, members are provided to be assembled about the periphery of the board to provide a confining structure therefor.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures POOL TYPE GAME 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to game apparatuses and, more particularly, to the game table intended for use in a type of game wherein playing pieces are to be shot across the playing surface into a cup-like receptacle.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art Game tables of the type wherein a playing piece travels along the playing surface in an intended path of travel towards a cup-like receptacle responsive to the launching or shooting action of some element are well known in the art. Examples of such are the well known pool tables and miniature pool tables wherein players use elongate sticks to shoot the pool balls; table hockey games wherein a player controls simulated hockey players that hit the game puck and those types of games wherein players directly strike a playing piece or a shooter-type playing piece with a cocked thumb or forefinger.

The general shortcomings of games herefore has been that they are usable only for the particular game involved and occupy space either in storage or in use for this single game purpose. In addition, some such tables are difficult to move or erect or disassemble. In the pool table type games the peripheral pockets are continually present and the board itself should not be used for any other purpose in that the surface may be marred which would be harmful to play. In the table hockey games, a simulated goal area is usually recessed and, in addition, the playing surface is slotted with players extending upwardly from the surface. In those games of the type wherein players launch shooting pieces with their finger or thumb pressure, again the usual peripheral pockets are present about the game board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed, in brief, to meeting a need and desire in the art for an improved game apparatus of the type wherein playing pieces are to be shot into a receptacle in the playing surface wherein the playing surface may be easily converted from an ordinary planar structure to one having the necessary peripheral border portions and cup-like playing piece receiving areas.

The best mode currently contemplated for carrying out the invention includes a generally rigid planar playing surface which may have depending side walls and/or legs for support of the playing surface. Portions of the playing surface are removable leaving openings therein. Playing piece receptacles or cups are provided for insertion into the openings (in frictional retention therein) from the underside of the playing surface. The periphery of the playing surface has apertures for receiving post insert portions of a peripheral border structure. Disc-like playing pieces are also provided in either a digitally propelled large disc or a spring-actuated shooter may be utilized for shooting the playing pieces into a path of travel across the playing surface for intended occupation in the cup-like playing piece receptacles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken generally along the lines 22 of FIG. 1 showing portions of the peripheral border structure;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a corner post utilized in association with the peripheral border structure;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged section view of a portion of the playing surface showing the relationship between an opening in the playing surface and the playing piece receiving cup frictionally inserted therein; and

FIG. 5 is a=perspective view of a spring shooter which may be utilized in the play of the gameof this invention;

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a specific embodiment therefor, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, the game apparatus 10 of this invention includes a game board 12 preferably of a relative stiff, sheet-like material, such as a pressed wood, wood, plastic or the like. Game board 12 includes an upper generally planar playing surface 12a and peripheral edge portions 14a,l4b,4c and 14d with these peripheral edge portions defining a generally rectangular configuration as shown in the illustrated embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, side walls, such as side walls 16a and l6b,depend from each of the peripheral edges 14a through 14d and by themselves provide a means for supporting the playing surface 12a upwardly from a supporting surface on which the game apparatus 10 may rest. It is also contemplated that in addition to the side walls or in lieu thereof, depending supporting legs may be provided for supporting the playing surface 12a in an elevated condition.

Adjacent the peripheral edge portions 14a through 14d, there are provided small apertures 18 about the periphery of the playing surface. These apertures are part of a structure for providing a peripheral border or fence about the playing surface 12a when the game apparatus 10 is converted into use. Included in this structure are post members 20, having an enlarged base 20a and reduced forked fingers 20b, which are intended for insertion through the apertures 18 from the underside of playing surface 12. Because the fingers 20b are forked, this permits the fingers to compress slightly, it being intended that the normal outer diameter across the fingers 20b would be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the apertures 18 so that upon insertion of the fingers into apertures 18 the post 20 will be held in the apertures 18 by frictional retention.

A grommet member 22 is also provided for use with the post 20. Grommet member 22.has a medial opening 22a for impalement of the grommet on finger portions 20b of the post 20. In addition, the grommet has a peripheral groove 22b for receiving a fence or border member. In the illustrated embodiment, the fence element 24 comprises a loop-like elastic member such as a rubberband or the like. It is to be understood that other fence elements could be provided. For example, other strand means could be wound between adjacent grommets on adjacent posts or fence members could be provided which were in the nature of bar-like elements nestably received between the forked fingers.

Part of the peripheral border structure further includes the corner post elements 26. Corner post elements 26 include body portions 28a and 28b which are transversely oriented relative to each other so as to generally matingly embrace the comer formed by the juncture of two adjacent side walls, such as 16a and 16b. In addition, the corner post element 26 includes a top portion 30 having generally transversely oriented T-shaped projecting tongues 32, including an enlarged head 32a and reduced shank 32b, for receiving the strand elements or fence elements 24 from the next adjacent transversely oriented grommet 22 on past 20. Where resilient strands such as rubberbands are used as fence elements, as best seen in FIG. I the strands may be wrapped about the reduced shank portion 32b and extend around the periphery of the grommet 22.

The playing surface is further provided with generally diametrally oppositely positioned openings 34 and 36, with opening 34 near the intersection of edges 14a and 14d and opening 36 near the intersection of edges 14b and 14c Cover means 34a and 36a are provided for each of the openings 34 and 36 and preferably are of a size and shape to be normally frictionally retained within, and fully occupy, each of the openings but are capable of being snapped or popped out of the openings in response to a slightly forceful application of pressure, such as by finger or thumb pressure or the like.

Playing piece receptacle elements or cups 38 are provided for inserting into each of the openings 34 and 36, respectively. Each of the receptacles or cups 38 includes generally axially or longitudinally extending slits 38a at the open end 40 and a generally enlarged annular flange 38b just below the open end. The outer diameter of the peripheral portion of the cups between the open end 40 and the flange 38b is intended to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of each of the openings 34 and 36. Preferably, the cups 38 would be made of a substantially rigid plastic material, but would be slightly compressible in the area of the open end by reason of the provision of the slits 380. Thus, the cups may be inserted from the underside of playing surface 12a into the openings 34 and 36 and frictionally retained therein. In addition, the extent of the insertion would be limited by the annular flange 38b which is positioned so that the open end of the cup 40 will be at least flush, if not slightly below, relative to the playing surface 12a.

The game apparatus further includes a plurality of playing pieces 42, here shown in the preferred form of small, rigid disclike members. In addition, playing piece shooting means may be provided, either in the form of the large disc 44 or a spring shooter 46. In the case of the large disc 44, it would be intended that the players could strike the disc with a cocked thumb or forefinger in an attempt to launch the disc into contact with a playing piece 42 which, in turn, would be launched into a path of travel towards one of the receptacles 38, positioned in either of the openings 34 or 36. In the alternative, the spring shooter 46 having a handle 48, a trigger 50, and a spring loaded plunger 52, could be utilized to launch the playing pieces 42.

In playing the game, the desired object would be for a player to launch all of his playing pieces into the selected receptacle before the other player can do so. At the start of the game, each player would shoot one of his playing pieces at the opposite cup. The player with the closest shot to the cup then is given the first move after that. Play continues, with each player taking turns, with the exception of those instances where a playing piece is successfully launched into a receptacle or cup. In such instances, then the successful player may take another shot. It is envisioned that players could also attempt to strike opponentsdiscs with their own disc or playing piece in an effort to put an opponent at a less favorable position on the playing surface.

The set up of the game for play is accomplished by assembling the peripheral border structure as indicated in the description relating thereto, inserting the receptacles or cups as also previously described, and otherwise arranging the playing pieces 42 seriatim as illustrated in FIG. 1 along a line parallel to each of the peripheral edges 14b and 14d which also intersect the axis of openings 34 and 36. For convenience, the playing surface could be provided with indicia indicating the initial location of the playing pieces. A variant of the game would be that players could utilize the large disc 44 for striking opponents discs or blocking the cup during an opponents play.

It can be seen that when the game is not in use, and when the cover portions are inserted in the openings 36 and 38 and the peripheral border structure is disassembled, a flat, planar table-like surface is provided which could be utilized for a variety of purposes. Thus, it is envisioned that one would not necessarily place the game table in storage or otherwise remove it from use in those periods of time when the game was not being played, in that the surface 12a could be utilized for many other purposes such as writing, drawing or playing other games or the like.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. A game apparatus comprising: means defining a playing surface having a playing face and a peripheral edge; first interruptions in said playing face of said playing surface; removable cover members insertable into said first interruptions in said playing face for occupying said interruptions when inserted thereinto; playing piece receiving means insertable into said first interruptions following removal of said cover members; a plurality of second surface interruptions adjacent the peripheral edge of said playing surface and fence means engageable therewith to provide a peripheral border around said playing surface; said fence means including upright posts engageable with said second surface interruptions; grommet means secured over said posts and having a grooved periphery for receiving a resilient loop member providing an elongated fence element; and playing piece elements of a size and shape to be received in said receiving means during play of the game.

2. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fence means further includes corner members having a body portion and transversely oriented head portions connected to the body by reduced neck portions.

3. The game apparatus of claim 2 wherein the upright posts of the fence means include bifurcated finger portions and wherein the interruptions adjacent the peripheral edge are apertures extending through the playing surface with the apertures being slightly smaller than the outer diameter across the bifurcated fingers so that the posts may be frictionally retained within the apertures following insertion of the fingers into the apertures and slight compression thereof.

4. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the playing piece receiving means are receptacles with an open end and a generally closed bottom and which are constructed and arranged to depend from the interruptions in the playing face.

5. The game apparatus of claim 4 wherein the interruptions in the playing face of the playing surface are apertures and wherein the open end of the receiving means has an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of said apertures for frictional retention of the receiving means in the apertures.

6. The game apparatus of claim 5 wherein the open end of the receiving means is provided with generally axially extended slots therein.

7. The game apparatus of claim 6 wherein the playing piece receiving means is further provided with an annular enlargement about the periphery thereof spaced below the open end a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the playing surface for limiting the insertion of the receiving means into the apertures of the playing surface.

8. The game apparatus of claim 7 wherein the playing surface further includes fence apertures adjacent the peripheral edge of the playing surface with post members removably insertable into said fence apertures and fence elements engageable with said post members for creating a peripheral border about the playing surface for playing the game. 

1. A game apparatus comprising: means defining a playing surface having a playing face and a peripheral edge; first interruptions in said playing face of said playing surface; removable cover members insertable into said first interruptions in said playing face for occupying said interruptions when inserted thereinto; playing piece receiving means insertable into said first interruptions following removal of said cover members; a plurality of second surface interruptions adjacent the peripheral edge of said playing surface and fence means engageable therewith to provide a peripheral border around said playing surface; said fence means including upright posts engageable with said second surface interruptions; grommet means secured over said posts and having a grooved periphery for receiving a resilient loop member providing an elongated fence element; and playing piece elements of a size and shape to be received in said receiving means during play of the game.
 2. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fence means further includes corner members having a body portion and transversely oriented head portions connected to the body by reduced neck portions.
 3. The game apparatus of claim 2 wherein the upright posts of the fence means include bifurcated finger portions and wherein the interruptions adjacent the peripheral edge are apertures extending through the playing surface with the apertures being slightly smaller than the outer diameter across the bifurcated fingers so that the posts may be frictionally retained within the apertures following insertion of the fingers into the apertures and slight compression thereof.
 4. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the playing piece receiving means are receptacles with an open end and a generally closed bottom and which are constructed and arranged to depend from the interruptions in the playing face.
 5. The game apparatus of claim 4 wherein the interruptions in the playing face of the playing surface are apertures and wherein the open end of the receiving means has an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of said apertures for frictional retention of the receiving means in the apertures.
 6. The game apparatus of claim 5 wherein the open end of the receiving means is provided with generally axially extended slots therein.
 7. The game apparatus of claim 6 wherein the playing piece receiving means is further provided with an annular enlargement about the periphery thereof spaced below the open end a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the playing surface for limiting the insertion of the receiving means into The apertures of the playing surface.
 8. The game apparatus of claim 7 wherein the playing surface further includes fence apertures adjacent the peripheral edge of the playing surface with post members removably insertable into said fence apertures and fence elements engageable with said post members for creating a peripheral border about the playing surface for playing the game. 